MINYIP-MURTOA coach Damian Cameron wants his charges to treat every game as a finals match.
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The Burras remain undefeated after 11 rounds of the Wimmera league season – and they showed little mercy against the seventh-placed Ararat Rats on Saturday, recording a 92-point drubbing at Minyip.
While pleased with the performance, Cameron is not resting on his laurels.
Matches against Stawell Warriors (round 12) and Horsham (round 13 and round 16) remain in the run towards finals.
“We had a good game in the last hit-out against (Horsham Saints in round 10) and that set our players up for another four-quarter effort (on Saturday),” he said.
“We felt pretty comfortable across the ground.
“Before the game, we emphasised that every game should be played as if it were finals, so we get the best out of ourselves.
“We went into the game with the mindset we were going to win.”
Braydon Ison was the Burras’ leading goalscorer on Saturday with seven majors.
Ison was also named among the team’s best players.
Cameron said Jae McGrath, playing in the forward line, showed a “workrate through the roof” while John Delahunty put on a quality performance through the midfield for his 150th game.
Luke Mulquiny and Angus Trethowan were unavailable but the Burras welcomed the return of Pat Purcell and Oliver Young.
Rats coach Terry Keilar said his charges were prepared for a tough day.
“We were coming up against the top side, so we knew what we were in for,” Keilar said.
“We wanted to focus on some things we are trying to improve as a team and we wanted to try to challenge the stronger teams a bit more. I think we did that.
“We also used the game as an opportunity to give some of the younger players greater game time and exposure against some classy footballers.”
Midfielder Grady Slocombe and Jacob Bates and Adam Haslett, playing predominantly in the backline, worked hard for the Rats.
Daniel Mendes was a welcome addition to the squad after spending eight weeks sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Keilar said the Burras – particularly their forward line – were just too strong.
“We entered the inside 50 as much as they did – but they hit every goal,” he said.
“I was really impressed with them. They are quick, strong and their delivery is fantastic. They are in a really good position to challenge for the premiership.”
The final scoreline read Minyip-Murtoa 22.7 (139) to Ararat’s 7.5 (47).
We went into the game with the mindset we were going to win.
- Damian Cameron